Pressure wave device with dual valve means

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for treatment using pressure waves. The device includes a projectile guided along a path of motion, an applicator, a stopper, and pneumatic means for applying pressure to the projectile to cause it to move. The projectile is configured to strike the applicator. The pneumatic means includes double valve means for applying pressure to the projectile toward the applicator at a first activation time and in the opposite direction at a second activation time, and control means. The control means is configured to terminate the second activation time after partial return motion during the second activation time, initiate the first activation time, and reverse the motion from return motion to forward motion after only part of the path of motion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for treating the human or animal body using mechanical pressure waves generated by the impact of an accelerated projectile on an applicator. [Background technology]

[0002] This type of device has been known for some time and is increasingly being used. Mechanical pressure waves are used in the treatment of patients (human or animal) and are introduced by placing an applicator on the patient's body and are generated by the (typically cyclically repeated) impact of an accelerated projectile with the applicator. The applicator does not necessarily have to be one piece, but may be made up of a number of separate parts and materials.

[0003] A proven and frequently described technique for accelerating projectiles is pneumatic: pneumatic overpressure is introduced by applying pressure to a volume on one side of the projectile that is movable along its path of motion, for example in a pipe segment.

[0004] In the prior art, a switching valve is used for this purpose, connected to an air pressure supply, in particular a compressor with an adjustable output pressure, the pulses of which accelerate the projectile from the end of the path of motion distal to the applicator towards the applicator, and when the proximal end of the path of motion is reached, i.e. when the applicator is impacted, the air pressure application is switched off.

[0005] In the prior art, the return movement is carried out with the aid of an opposing pressure chamber, i.e., a storage volume, into which the projectile, having moved to a certain extent towards the applicator, pushes the air located in front of it, thereby essentially pumping up the storage volume.

[0006] In addition to controlling the opening time of the switching valve with respect to acceleration, which is not described in detail, U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,499, which was revoked in opposition proceedings for lack of reproducibility, the patent also describes a target pressure limit in the opposing pressure chamber. Alternatively, the patent mentions the use of a second switching valve to return the projectile to a distal starting position after application by the first switching valve. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Publication EP2181730B1 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention aims to embody a device of the above type with pneumatic means for projectile movement, the device being improved with regard to the forward and backward movement of the projectile.

[0009] To achieve this object, a device is proposed according to claim 1. Preferred configurations are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] That is to say, the device according to the invention has as part of its pneumatic means a double valve means, for example a combination of a first valve and a second valve, for urging the projectile in both directions, i.e. towards the applicator and in the opposite direction, away from the applicator. The time phase during which air pressure is applied to the projectile to move in the forward direction, i.e. for example the activation phase of the first valve, will be referred to hereinafter as the first activation time, and the time phase in which the projectile is urged in the opposite direction will be referred to as the second activation time.

[0011] According to the invention, the device is adapted (i.e., in particular the control means present therein are adapted) to end the second operating time before the projectile has completely retracted, i.e., after only a partial return movement. Furthermore, the first operating time also starts already before the complete return, and therefore also after only a partial return movement, but not necessarily simultaneously with the end of the second operating time. Overall, it is possible and should be achieved that the projectile (at any speed in a particular control state) no longer returns completely, but after a part of its path of movement, at its end (at the stop), already reverses its path of movement.

[0012] Therefore, according to the present invention, by ending the second activation time early and starting the (subsequent) first activation time, even before reaching the distal end of the movement path, shortening of the movement path to an effective length relative to a geometrically possible movement path is achieved.

[0013] This offers different possibilities and advantages that can be used depending on the application. For example, the impact velocity of the projectile on the applicator can be varied and in particular controlled independently of the air pressure used. In particular, the shorter the effective acceleration path (assuming a constant acceleration pressure), the lower the impact velocity. In this respect, the invention offers an additional degree of freedom.

[0014] In particular, lower impact velocities that would otherwise be inaccessible through pressure reduction alone can be achieved by shortening the effective acceleration path. Experience has shown that the pneumatic drive discussed here requires a certain minimum pressure to be able to move the projectile in a defined manner. This can be the result of, for example, static friction between the projectile and the inner lateral surface of the pipe segment through which it is guided. According to the invention, the velocity can now be further reduced by shortening the path, provided that the pressure is sufficient for a safe and defined projectile movement.

[0015] An additional advantage may consist in being able to increase the operating frequency at a given desired impact velocity with respect to conventional procedures (utilizing the entire geometrically given path of travel). Specifically, if the desired impact velocity can be achieved at a pressure lower than that available, and instead of reducing this pressure (for example, by a pressure source controller or by other means), the effective path of travel is shortened in the manner described above, the projectile is in forward motion.

[0016] The combination of two switching valves, which represents a possibility of a double valve means provided in accordance with the present invention, was discussed further above. In this variant, the two valves can be controlled (preferably independently of each other) by the control means. Alternatively, however, a uniform valve, referred to herein as a "combination valve," can be used, which, depending on the control by the control means, has at least two switching states: a first for applying air pressure to the projectile in a direction toward the applicator and a second for applying air pressure to the projectile in the opposite direction. While the combination valve is in the first switching state, therefore, there exists a first valve opening time, and accordingly, there exists a second valve opening time in the second switching state.

[0017] In these two switching states, the pneumatic connections applied in each of the other switching states are preferably ventilated by a combination valve, so that, for example, during forward movement, approximately ambient pressure prevails on the projectile side proximal to the applicator, and there is no dynamic pressure increasing from impact to impact, in contrast to conventional procedures with opposing pressure chambers.

[0018] Even when two separate valves are used, at least one of the two valves is preferably a two-way valve that provides ventilation accordingly, provided that it is not switched due to the application of air pressure.

[0019] The possibility of controlling the impact velocity of the projectile by the portion of its travel path that is actually available has already been addressed above. An additional possibility is to allow a first activation period (involving pressurization of the projectile in the forward direction) during the projectile's acceleration toward the applicator to overlap with a subsequent or preceding second activation period (involving pressurization in the opposite direction). During such an overlapping period, for example, immediately before the projectile's impact with the applicator, the air pressure on the two sides of the projectile is at least largely compensated, so that the projectile remains somewhat force-free (apart from friction). In this respect, in this configuration, an additional influence can be exerted on the impact velocity without specifically changing the amount of air pressure applied.

[0020] In the case of the combination valves mentioned above, this means an additional switching state, whereby pressure is applied on both sides.

[0021] A combination of these two possibilities—on the one hand, using only a portion of the path of travel, or even modifying it, and on the other hand, overlapping the activation times of the two valves—can certainly be useful. For example, limiting the impact velocity can be achieved during the overlap period before the projectile's impact on the applicator, while the average velocity (compared to the acceleration over the entire path of travel) nevertheless remains relatively high. That is, after the initial acceleration, the acceleration ceases during the overlap period, resulting in a higher velocity level relatively sooner than in the case of continuous acceleration up to impact (assuming the same impact velocity). Thus, for example, using minimal acceleration pressure, while also achieving particularly low impact velocities (as described above), without increasing the frequency (too much) in the process, acceleration can be performed, for example, in the initial phase of advancement during the first activation time, which can then be terminated by the overlap of the two activation times. This would then remain at the projectile velocity achieved (significantly), but to some extent, more time would pass until impact due to the distance not used for acceleration. The overlap period thus provides an additional degree of freedom within the scope of the present invention.

[0022] Of course, in this case, there can be control states with multiple overlap times, including zero overlap time. Furthermore, there can also be overlap times, primarily after impact. Exceptionally, if a complete path of travel is used, there can, in principle, also be overlap times or partial overlap times after a path reversal at the distal end of the path of travel. In the case of a repeated path, the projectile is virtually reflected at this end and can already begin moving forward as a result of the pulse exchange.

[0023] Furthermore, for a given air pressure, a collision where the reverse acceleration of the projectile is so high that there is a stop at the end of the travel path distal to the applicator can be avoided (exceptionally) if the full travel path is used under the appropriate control conditions. Furthermore, if this is desirable for a particular combination of frequency and impact velocity (for a given pressure), the time for return travel can be increased by the post-impact overlap time period without increasing the actual travel path used.

[0024] In particular, during the change in the overlap time of the two activation times, the second activation time can be changed with respect to its duration and / or its onset, while in this case the first activation time can preferably remain constant.

[0025] Further possibilities for other control states, and in this sense, to the extent that the opposite of the described overlap times is the separation time between the first actuation time and the second actuation time, or vice versa, are meant here (and not vice versa, i.e., in the sense of a sequence from the first actuation time to the second actuation time in the vicinity of the distal reversal point of the projectile movement).

[0026] Such a separation time, like the overlap time, results in a substantially force-free moment of motion of the projectile and can therefore be used in a similar way in the case of a device where there can also be control states with overlap times and other control states with separation times (and possibly control states with direct contact of the first and second actuation times in the sense of zero separation time).

[0027] Therefore, especially in the case of the separation time, the projectile velocity during impact can be reduced. Furthermore, during the return movement, if part of the separation time exists after impact, some deceleration can be achieved. This has already been explained in a similar manner for the overlap time.

[0028] In the above description it has been repeatedly noted that the air pressure does not necessarily have to be changed, in fact it is preferable to keep this pressure unchanged during operation and in several control states.

[0029] In the simplest case, the pneumatic means may comprise a connection for supplying the air from a pneumatic line network, for example in a hospital, or from a compressed gas cylinder. However, a pneumatic compressor is preferred, as this allows the device according to the invention to be locally independent and more mobile than a compressed gas cylinder. Air compressors are already known per se in connection with such devices. However, the present invention provides the aforementioned feature that the supply pressure does not necessarily have to be changed in different control states with different projectile impact velocities. In other words, the compressor can operate at the same speed in such control states.

[0030] Of course, this firstly simplifies the control of the compressor, especially if the latter runs at the same rotational speed in the operating state. Furthermore, the compressor can be operated close to or at its maximum efficiency (in terms of rotational frequency). Furthermore, it is possible to adapt the noise reduction means, for example the damping mounting of the compressor or the noise-damping casing, to the vibration behavior of the compressor at the same rotational frequency.

[0031] The particular design possibilities of the present invention are based on the ability to directly and rapidly influence the impact physics between the projectile and the applicator by varying the valve opening time or duration of the valve opening time, particularly the impact velocity. Compared to changes in supply pressure, this influence is particularly rapid in repetitive operating conditions, so that, in principle, the impact velocity and / or the combined time duration of the forward and backward movements, i.e., the instantaneous frequency, can be changed from one impact process to the next. Such rapid and unrestricted influence or control is not possible with the prior art.

[0032] Typical impact velocities are in the range of 2 m / s to 30 m / s, but also for less rapidly changing or unchanging conditions. Regarding impact physics, the shock pulse is particularly important, which for typical projectile masses can be in the range of 1 g to 10 g, and therefore 2 gm / s to 300 gm / s, preferably 10 gm / s to 150 gm / s.

[0033] In a particular configuration, the device has measuring means by which the path of the projectile can be measured at certain points along its path of travel, said measuring means being coupled to the control means, so that such features, for example the passage of the projectile just before impact or during impact on the applicator, can be detected and the activation time can be adapted accordingly (in particular with regard to its start and end) to the time of impact.

[0034] Such detection can be carried out, for example, optically, for example by means of a light barrier, but preferably inductively using a measuring coil, which can detect the projectile by means of its residual magnetism or purely inductively (by changing its leakage inductance).

[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments, individual features of which may also be essential to the invention in different combinations within the scope of the claims. The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments, the individual features of which may also be required for the invention in different combinations within the scope of the claimed invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention, with the central housing part removed for clarity; [Figure 2] 2 shows a longitudinal section of the device according to FIG. 1 in a position mirrored relative to FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a handpiece with the associated basic devices. [Figure 4] A series of schematic time charts (FIGS. 4a to 4e) are shown to illustrate the mode of operation. [Figure 5] 3 shows a schematic diagram of a combination valve to illustrate an alternative embodiment to that of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the handpiece of a device according to the invention, with the pneumatic valves, namely valve 1 and valve 2, facing forward and to the left. The pneumatic supply connection 3 can be seen on the right, and two screw rings 4 and 5, each corrugated on the outside for ease of handling and intended to hold an applicator 6, described in more detail below, can be seen on the left. The applicator 6 has a surface facing the patient and can be seen further to the left in Figure 1, or as shown in Figure 2. It can also be made up of multiple parts.

[0038] A number of transverse pipes can be seen in the central region of the device in FIG. 1. The central pipe, labeled "7," contains and guides the projectile 8, visible in cross section in FIG. 2. Two parallel pneumatic connection pipelines 9 and 10 can be seen in front between the two valves 1 and 2. Pipeline 9 supplies pressure to the second valve 2, while pipeline 10, conversely, ventilates the second valve 2 through an outlet provided in the first valve 1. In this example, these pipes are surrounded by a housing cover 11, which is indicated in FIG. 1 by a line below the pipeline 10 and two lines above the projectile guide pipe 7. The housing cover 11 extends through the rear region in FIG. 1 and consists of only a portion of a circumference. At its axial edge, the cover 11 is designed in a manner similar to a flanging, with an inwardly rounded turnover (shown at the upper edge in FIG. 1) for easy gripping. Thus, the housing cover 11 can function as a handle during actual handling. A spacer 13 provides structural stability and mechanical connection between the two ends of the handpiece.

[0039] The flexible compressed air supply line (see "51" in Figure 3) from the air compressor to the device is not shown here and is to be connected to the already mentioned connection 3. Similarly, the electronic control line ("52" in Figure 3) from the external control device to valves 1 and 2 is not shown but can be designed in the same way as the compressed air supply line.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section of the entire device along the imaginary central longitudinal axis of the aforementioned cylindrical shape, which also coincides with the central longitudinal axis of the projectile guide tube 7. To illustrate the dimensions, in this embodiment, the length of the projectile guide tube 7 is 145.5 mm; the remaining illustrations in FIG. 2 are to scale. In this projectile guide tube, the projectile 8, shown on the right side of FIG. 2, abuts against the applicator 6, which is held in a manner known per se by the aforementioned screw rings 4 and 5. In this case, the applicator 6 is axially elastically attached by a bellows-shaped elastomer ring 14 and pneumatically (gas-tightly) sealed by another elastomer ring 12. Alternatively, a device design for the applicator 6 and its holding and sealing, for example, according to EP 2 529 679 (possibly independent of the cap shown therein) or EP 2 095 843 (possibly independent of the ceramic material described therein), is also possible and preferred.

[0041] 2 shows on the left an internal channel 21 connecting the pneumatic connection 3 to the first valve 1. The first valve 1 can appropriately switch the supply pressure applied to the pneumatic connection 3 to a radial channel 22 in response to a control. The radial channel 22 opens below the damper element 23 and is connected to the internal volume of the projectile guide tube 7. Through this channel 22, the projectile is thus set in motion at a first activation time in the direction of the applicator 6 and accelerated during the first activation time. Separately, the pneumatic supply pressure is sent to the second valve 2 via a channel 24 and a pipeline 10.

[0042] In a second, alternative switching position, the channel 22 and therefore the internal volume of the projectile guide tube 7 between its distal end (on the left in FIG. 2) and the projectile 8 is ventilated.

[0043] In the second valve 2, which is constructed essentially mirror-symmetrically to the first valve 1, the pneumatic supply pressure applied via the pipeline 10 can now pass radially upwards via the channel 25 into the volume surrounding the projectile guide tube 7 (visible in FIG. 2 as slots above and below the tube 7). The pressure proceeds from the connection of the channel 25 to the right, i.e., in the direction of the applicator 6, where it is connected to the internal volume of the projectile guide tube 7 between the applicator 6 and the end of the projectile guide tube 7 adjacent to it (apart from the presence of the projectile 8 shown in FIG. 2). Thus, via the channel 25, the pneumatic supply pressure can be switched to the internal volume of the projectile guide tube 7 between the applicator 6 and the projectile 8. However, in this example, as a result of the smaller effective opening cross-section of the projectile guide tube 7 than on the other side, the pneumatic connection is somewhat poorer, which results in earlier or more pronounced delays here at higher airflow rates (higher frequencies, higher pressures).

[0044] Alternatively, in the other switching position, the second valve 2 blocks the connection of the internal volume of the pipeline 10 to the second valve 2, and the channel 25 and therefore the internal volume of the projectile guide tube 7 to the right of the projectile 8 can be ventilated, i.e. pneumatically connected to the outside atmosphere via a highly conductive connection.

[0045] The two valves 1 and 2 can therefore apply air pressure to the projectile from both sides, i.e. independently of each other, and therefore simultaneously or alternately, or can ventilate the interior of the projectile guide tube 7 on both sides.

[0046] Reference numeral "30" in FIG. 2 denotes a ring-shaped permanent magnet at the end of the path of motion of the projectile 8 (which corresponds to the length of the projectile guide tube 7), the end distal to the applicator 6. This magnet 30 allows the projectile 8, made of a ferromagnetic material, to be easily fixed at this distal end of the path of motion. By applying pressure to one side by the valve 2, the projectile can be returned to this position and optionally additionally held there, especially at the beginning of actuation or in the case of non-ferromagnetic projectiles. In this regard, the permanent magnet 30 can also be optionally omitted, especially if recoil at this distal end of the path of motion is then possible even at low impact velocities of the projectile 8, as will be explained further below.

[0047] The reference numeral "31" indicates the point at which the passage of the projectile 8 through the corresponding point in its path of motion is detected by a measuring coil, which is located relatively close to the applicator 6. In the simplest case, the slight residual magnetism of the projectile 8 is used here, but of course, the change in inductance of the coil 31 can also be detected and evaluated using AC techniques. The collision of the projectile 8 with the applicator 6 can also be determined in an experimental setup by using microphones and motion sensors. Furthermore, the impact velocity of the projectile 8 can be determined in an experimental setup, for example, by using two light barriers placed directly in front of the applicator 6.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, specifically indicated simply by the reference numeral "40" at the top right. This device 40 is a handheld, portable handpiece, as known from related devices according to the prior art. It is connected via two lines 51 and 52 to a base station 50, which includes a pneumatic compressor 53 and a control device 54. The compressor 53 is connected to the handheld device 40 via line 51, i.e., a pneumatic flexible hose line, and the control device 54 is connected via an electrical line 52 (which can optionally be integrated with line 51). Via this line, the control device can access and supply power to the two valves 1 and 2 already mentioned. Additionally, communication with the handpiece 40 can take place via line 52, especially if a control device or part of a control device is additionally provided therein.

[0049] Furthermore, the control device 54 also controls the compressor 53 in terms of its speed and of course switching it on and off, and together with the compressor 53 is powered by a mains power supply 55. Alternatively, pressure controls or control valves that affect the speed may be integrated into the compressor 53. The control device 54 is also connected to a display 56, which may be mounted on the base station 50 or may be provided separately from it. The base station 50 is operated via the touch-sensitive display 56 and / or an array of buttons not shown here.

[0050] The user can therefore control the functions of the device 40 on the basis of these buttons and in any case on the basis of the display 56, the control device 54 specifying in particular the opening and closing times and therefore also the opening periods of the two valves 1 and 2. Also, some of the tasks of the control device 54 can be integrated in the handpiece 40, in particular with regard to the control of valves 1 and 2.

[0051] For a basic understanding of the control of the two valves, reference may be made to the prior patent EP 2213273 B1. The specific example therein, particularly with regard to the dimensioning of the projectile guide tube and the projectile, corresponds substantially to the above description and to FIGS. 1 and 2, except for the presence of the second valve 2 and the absence of an opposing pressure chamber. Additionally, whereas in the cited example, a specific valve opening time of the single valve presupposes a specific pressure, in this example the projectile acceleration is variably controlled by the portion of the first valve opening time, even outside the overlap time and therefore at a constant pressure. In the following description, a pressure of 4 bar may be assumed as an example.

[0052] Figure 4 shows four individual schematic time sequences 4a to 4d, where the opening process of the first valve 1 is shown by a solid curve and the opening process of the second valve 2 is shown analogously by a dashed curve, so that the increasing curve portions correspond to the first and second activation times, respectively.

[0053] 4a to 4d show a sequence of pressurization pulses for the two valves 1 and 2 according to the following list of values: -List of values- Frequency [Hz] :35 ;35 ;35 ;35 Projectile speed [m / s]: 4.3; 5.4; 7.3; 10 Valve 1 open time [ms]: 0; 0; 0; 0 Valve 1 closing time [ms]: 9; 10; 11; 13 Valve 2 opening time [ms]: 17;17;17;17 Valve 2 closing time [ms]: 23; 23; 23; 23 Impact time [ms]: 21.6; 21.3; 21; 21.1

[0054] Specifically, after each (illustrated) collision between the projectile 8 and the applicator 6, on the one hand, as a result of the pulse exchange in this case, and on the other hand, as a result of the application of air pressure during the remainder of the second activation time, the projectile is accelerated in the reverse direction, but does not move to the distal end of the maximum possible path of travel, but is instead braked by the opposing pressure of air pressure (if the acceleration pressure is reduced) beginning with the next first activation time. As a result, the projectile eventually reverses its direction of travel before reaching the distal end and is again accelerated forward. This acceleration ends at the end of each first activation time, in which case the projectile continues flying almost forcelessly until it impacts the applicator 6 approximately at the same time (or somewhat earlier or later) as the start of the following second activation time. The same cycle then continues for additional times.

[0055] The difference between the four individual figures is that the time duration of the first activation time is increased, and thus the separation time is decreased relative to the second activation time. As a result, the covered subpath of the maximum possible movement path increases from Figure 4(a) to (d). Since the acceleration pressure remains the same, the impact velocity also increases simultaneously during the impact with the applicator 6. By selecting multiple separation times or, not shown here, by selecting an overlap time, the impact velocity can be additionally influenced in this case.

[0056] For typical tube lengths in the range around 145.5 mm, as in this example, the values ​​from the table show that at a frequency of 35 Hz, only a portion of the tube length can clearly still be utilized. Even if the projectile were to maintain a constant impact velocity of 4.3 m / s during its reciprocating motion within the tube, the total 60 mm path would occur in only half the circulation time, which is significantly shorter than the actual tube length. Thus, with previous technology, such high impact frequencies, while at the same time relatively low impact velocities, are not possible.

[0057] More precisely, Figures 4a-4d show the electrical control times, i.e., the output signals of the control device 54, of the two valves, Valve 1 and Valve 2. Valve 1 and Valve 2 are spring-assisted solenoid valves that open purely magnetically and close when the magnetic load is removed by the force of the spring tensioned during the process. The movement of the valve disc is therefore somewhat delayed relative to the exemplary control signal, specifically an estimated 4 ms for opening and 2 ms for closing. That is, the separation time is actually approximately 2 ms longer than shown.

[0058] In the case of so-called pilot valves with pneumatic assistance when opening, the situation is qualitatively equivalent.

[0059] Of course, in the case of another embodiment with a "combination valve," relationships very similar to those shown in Figures 4a-4d can be created, but in this case the overlap times refer to different switching states of the valves. Such a combination valve is shown diagrammatically in Figure 5. In this example, the symbol "K" designates the combination valve, which accordingly replaces the two valves 1 and 2 according to Figures 1 and 2. Two lines V1, V2 are shown on the left and right, of which line V1 refers, for example, to the connection to the left-hand side (according to Figure 2) of the projectile guide tube 7 via channel 22 (analogous to the first valve 1). Similarly, the right-hand line V2 refers, for example, to the connection to the right-hand side of the projectile guide tube 7 via channel 25 (analogous to the second valve 2).

[0060] In FIG. 5, the upper line is indicated by the keyword "Pressure supply" and the symbol "1" (different from the symbol "1") for the first valve, and similarly the lower line connection is indicated by the keyword "Ambient pressure" and the symbol "0", i.e., the ventilation opening.

[0061] The combination valve K has a slide S, symbolically illustrated, which can be displaced vertically (in FIG. 5) between four different switching positions. In the top position, as illustrated in FIG. 5, line (connection) V1 is vented and line (connection) V2 is under pneumatic supply pressure, and vice versa in the third position from the top. In the second position from the top, which is just switched on activation, both line V1 and line V2 are vented. Finally, the bottom position shows simultaneous pressurization of both line V1 and line V2.

[0062] Therefore, instead of the two individual valves 1 and 2 according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, it is possible to envisage a combined valve K constructed in the above-mentioned or similar manner, and the remaining explanations and in particular Figures 3 and 4 also apply.

[0063] The air compressor 53 (FIG. 3) operates at a predetermined fixed operating frequency with maximum efficiency so that the impact velocity of the projectile 8 can be controlled simply by switching the two valves 1 and 2. Furthermore, the air compressor may be able to be particularly effectively damped with respect to vibration and noise at the predetermined operating frequency.

[0064] Essentially, the controller 54 can vary the impact velocity and the time interval between the collision of the projectile 8 with the applicator 6 from one actuation to the next. This can affect the impact physics quite rapidly and quite variably, and is not particularly relevant for cyclic actuation.

Claims

1. 1. A device for treating the human or animal body with mechanical pressure waves, comprising: a projectile (8) guided along a path of motion within the device; an applicator at one end of said path of motion and a stopper at the other end; pneumatic means for applying air pressure to said projectile (8) for movement along said path of movement; the projectile (8) is configured to impact the applicator (6) to generate a mechanical pressure wave; The pneumatic means comprises dual valve means (1, 2) for applying air pressure to the projectile (8) in a direction towards the applicator (6) at a first activation time and for applying air pressure to the projectile (8) in a reverse direction at a second activation time, and control means (54) for controlling the dual valve means (1, 2); The device is configured to terminate the second activation time and initiate the first activation time after a partial return motion during the second activation time, and to reverse the motion of the projectile (8) from return motion to forward motion by applying air pressure to the projectile (8) before the end where the stop is located after only a portion of the motion path.

2. The double valve means (1, 2) a first valve for applying air pressure to the projectile (8) in a direction towards the applicator (6); a second valve for applying air pressure to the projectile (8) in the opposite direction; 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first valve and said second valve are preferably controllable independently of each other by said control means (54).

3. The double valve means (1, 2) has a combination valve that, in response to control by the control means (54), assumes a first switching state for applying air pressure to the projectile (8) in a direction toward the applicator (6) or a second switching state for applying air pressure to the projectile (8) in the opposite direction, 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein in each of said first and second switching states, the pneumatic connection used in the respective other switching state for applying air pressure to said projectile (8) is vented by said combination valve.

4. at least one of the first valve and the second valve is a two-way valve; 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the two-way valve applies air pressure to a pneumatic volume between the two-way valve and the projectile (8) in a first switching position at each activation time that applies air pressure to the projectile (8) and vents the pneumatic volume in a second switching position.

5. 5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, configured to control the impact velocity of the projectile (8) upon impact with the applicator (6) and to change in the process the portion of the path of motion travelled by the projectile (8) before reversing its motion.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, configured to allow the first activation time and the second activation time to overlap with an overlap time.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control means (54) is configured to vary the separation time between the first activation time and the second activation time in different control states with zero overlap time.

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pneumatic supply pressure provided to said double valve means (1, 2) during said control does not vary during said pressure application.

9. The pneumatic means includes an air compressor (53); The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device is configured to enable the compressor (53) to operate at the same rotational speed during the activation time in each control state with different impact velocities of the projectile (8), preferably to operate at essentially the same rotational speed throughout the activation time.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projectile (8) is capable of moving with an impact pulse of between 2 gm / s and 300 gm / s upon impact with the applicator (6).

11. 11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, configured in a repetitive operating condition in which the forward and return movements of the projectile (8) for impact on the applicator (6) are in direct succession, to vary the impact velocity from one of the combined forward and return movements to the next.

12. 12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising measuring means (31) for detecting the passage of the projectile (8) at a point in the path of movement, said measuring means (31) being connected to said control means (54).

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